Aldi Scotland brought its Supermarket Sweep fundraiser to Cowdenbeath to mark one year of partnership with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). Shona Malcolm, a chef at Rachel House hospice, took part in the challenge and raised £524 for the charity, helping to close a successful year of fundraising.
Rachel House, based in Kinross, is one of two CHAS hospices in Scotland. It provides palliative, respite and end of life care to children with life-shortening conditions and supports their families. The hospice kitchen plays a central role in daily life, with Shona, who has worked there for seven years, preparing meals for children, families, staff and volunteers.
Inspired by the well-known television game show, Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep took place in late November. Shona, who was nominated by her colleagues, completed a five-minute trolley dash to collect food and essential items for families staying at Rachel House. Aldi also matched the total value of the items collected and donated the same amount to CHAS.
Alongside the supplies donated to families at the hospice, Aldi Scotland matched the cash value of Shona’s haul and passed the full amount to CHAS. The funds will help support more than 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland who live with life-shortening conditions, as well as their families. Across all Supermarket Sweep events this year, every pound raised has gone directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in total.
Aldi Scotland has held 14 Supermarket Sweep events across the country this year. The retailer has also supported CHAS through seasonal fundraising, including Halloween activities and donations linked to events such as Robin House’s prom and Rachel House’s summer party.
Shona Malcolm, Rachel House Chef, CHAS, said: “Taking part in the Aldi supermarket sweep was so much fun. I was on a mission to get the food items that I know the children and families at Rachel House love.
“The kitchen at Rachel House is the heart of the hospice. Preparing food for children and families is not just about making meals, it’s about making memories. Our team in the kitchen put so much thought and care into menu planning and we all take great delight seeing the children, families, staff and volunteers spending time together and enjoying our meals.”
Across Scotland, three children die each week from an incurable condition. CHAS supports families throughout this journey, offering care in family homes, in its two hospices and through joint CHAS and NHS teams in Scotland’s three children’s hospitals.
In the Cowdenbeath area, CHAS currently supports 38 children and families. Care is tailored to each family’s needs and can include palliative care, respite stays, emotional support, bereavement care and spiritual care. Through its partnership with CHAS, Aldi Scotland helps raise funds and awareness to support services at Rachel House, Robin House in Balloch and through CHAS at Home.
Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “We’re proud to have partnered with CHAS this year and to support the invaluable work they do for families across Scotland. Through the partnership, we have been able to help raise awareness of the charity and its incredible work, as well as generate funds so CHAS can continue to provide vital hospice care to children with life-shortening conditions, and unwavering support to families during the most difficult moments imaginable.
“We have been blown away by the team’s enthusiasm and willingness to get involved throughout the year, and Shona is a testament to their incredible energy and tireless effort – congratulations on raising a fantastic £524.”
More information about CHAS and ways to support its work is available at https://www.chas.org.uk/.